Bangkok: In a significant ruling by the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, Pol. Gen. Somyot Pumpanmuang, the former national police chief, alongside several other defendants, has escaped a prison sentence in the highly publicized “Boss Yoovidhya” case. However, the court has sentenced Mr. Net Naksuk, the former deputy attorney general, to 3 years in prison, while Attorney Chainarong received a 2-year sentence.

According to Thai News Agency, the case was initiated by the Office of the Attorney General for Corruption Suppression Division 1 against Pol. Gen. Somyot and eight other defendants. They were charged with violating multiple sections of the Criminal Code, specifically Sections 151, 157, 200, 83, and 86. The charges were centered around allegations of colluding to alter evidence, specifically changing the recorded speed of the car involved in the incident from 197 kilometers per hour to 79.22 kilometers per hour. This alteration was purportedly to aid Mr. Vorayuth Yoovidhya, an heir to an energy drink fortune, in avoiding severe legal consequences following a fatal accident.

The incident dates back to the early hours of September 3, 2012, when Mr. Worayuth was driving a luxury sports car valued at 32 million baht. The car collided with Pol. L.t. Wichian Klanprasert, a police officer from Thonglor Police Station, resulting in the officer’s death at the entrance to Sukhumvit Soi 49. Throughout the proceedings, all eight defendants denied the charges and were released on bail of 200,000 baht each. The case has been ongoing in court since then.

On the day of the verdict, Pol. Gen. Somyot appeared upbeat and interacted positively with the media, in contrast to Mr. Net Naksuk, who maintained a solemn demeanor and wore a mask upon his arrival at the court. The court’s decision to dismiss the charges against Pol. Gen. Somyot and others while convicting Mr. Net and Attorney Chainarong marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the “Boss Yoovidhya” case.